This weekend, Irvine’s Hidden Valley Park plays host to Spooky Cross Weekend, California’s premier cyclocross event and the finale of Cross After Dark UCI night race series.

In addition to nearly 1,000 amateur competitors, the elite professional men and women’s fields are loaded with world-class talent.

The series overall win will be a race to the finish line. Early series races were dominated by riders who are either based in Europe or will be traveling to the first World Cup in the Czech Republic so look for a change of leadership on race day.

The men’s elite field is highlighted by Belgian star Ben Berden (Stoemper), reigning United States National Champion Todd Wells (Cal Giant/Specialized) as well as current US Gran Prix of Cyclocross leader Ryan Trebon (LTS/Felt). With series leader Jeremy Powers (Team RAPHA-Focus) racing abroad at the World Cup events in the Czech Republic this weekend, an outright win by Berden or Trebon would seal the series championship and the Castelli Winner’s Jersey. Also racing will be Sacramento’s Chris Jones (Team RAPHA-Focus) who is beginning to show his strength.

On the elite women’s side, Gateway Cross Cup winner – the 3rd race in the Cross After Dark Series – Teal Stetson-Lee (Cal Giant/Specialized) lies 2nd in the overall standings to Katerina Nash. Nash’s trip to her native Czech Republic for the World Cup race this weekend opens the door for Stetson-Lee to take the series overall title with a strong ride in Irvine. While Stetson-Lee may look to have a lock on the Castelli Winner’s Jersey, current French National Champion Caroline Mani is showing great adaptation to the US style of racing and trailing by a few points. In addition Sue Butler (River City/Ridley) will be bringing her early season form to the finale race.

Elite Men Points Standings
1 JEREMY POWERS 80 pts. TEAM RAPHA-FOCUS
2 BEN BERDEN 71 pts STOEMPER
3 BART WELLENS 69 pts TELENET FIDEA CYCLING TEAM
4 JONATHAN PAGE 62 pts PLANETBIKE/BLUE
5 RYAN TREBON 60 pts LTS/FELT
6 LARS VAN DER HAAR 55 pts RABOBANK
7 ROB PEETERS 50 pts TELENET FIDEA CYCLING TEAM
8 TODD WELLS 46 pts SPECIALIZED RACING
9 CHRISTIAN HEULE 40 pts CANNONDALE P/B CYCLOCROSSWORLD
10 JAMES DRISCOLL 37 pts CANNONDALE P/B CYCLOCROSSWORLD

Elite Women’s Points Standings
1 KATERINA NASH 110 pts LUNA PRO TEAM
2 TEAL STETSON-LEE 65 pts CALIFORNIA GIANT /SPECIALZED
3 MEREDITH MILLER 65 pts CALIFORNIA GIANT / SPECIALIZED
4 KATHY SHERWIN 44 pts STAN’S NOTUBES CYCLOCROSS TEAM
5 CAROLINE MANI 40 pts CC ETUPES DOUBS PAY
6 AMY DOMBROSKI 40 pts CRANKBROTHERS RACE CLUB
7 PEPPER HARLTON 32 pts JUVENTUS CYCLING CLUB
8 SUSAN BUTLER 30 pts RIVER CITY BICYLES/RIDLEY
9 KELLI EMMETT 30 pts GIANT BICYCLES
10 MICAL DYCK 26 pts PRO CITY RACING

Complete points standings and breakdown by race available at www.crossafterdark.com

Cross After Dark is an internationally sanctioned four race series with previous races held in Las Vegas, St. Louis, and Seattle. The aim of Cross After Dark is to literally shine a light on the fastest growing cycling discipline in the United States by holding races under the lights and adding a festive, prime time party atmosphere. Spooky Cross will feature a wide range of gourmet food trucks, live music and DJ’s, and stand up comedy. A novelty costume race and contest will help kick the Halloween season into high gear.

Cross After Dark is produced in conjunction with the Southern California Cyclocross (SoCalCross) the organizing body of a 22 races spanning San Luis Obispo to San Diego.

Widely popular in Europe for over a century, cyclocross has taken the United States by storm in the last decade. Using bikes that resemble heavy-duty versions of Tour de France race machines, competitors race on courses that are a mix of off-road terrain and pavement. Varied surfaces and many twists and turns place a premium on bike handling skills. Sections of small hurdles known as barriers and other obstacles force riders to dismount their bikes and run.

Cyclocross is among the most spectator-friendly cycling events. Short, compact courses make for fast lap times and offer many prime viewing spots making it possible for fans to watch an action packed race unfold from a single vantage point.

October 15 – 16
Spooky Cross Weekend/Cross After Dark Finale
Hidden Valley Park (Verizon Wireless-Wild Rivers)
8800 Irvine Center Drive
Irvine, CA 92618

Saturday- Racing goes from 1 – 9:30 pm. Professional events start at 7:20.
Sunday- Racing begins at 9am. Professional events start at 2:20pm.